Nothing in Ontario law prevents people from turning to a
religious official or someone knowledgeable in the principles of
their religion to help them resolve their family dispute.

However, if that person made a decision based on religious
principles, the decision would not be a valid family arbitration
award under the law. Both spouses could comply with the decision
voluntarily, but the decision would not be enforceable if one of
the people involved took it to court. The court may only enforce
awards made in arbitrations conducted exclusively under Canadian
law.

A religious official can conduct a family arbitration under
Ontario law if that person is properly qualified to do so. To be
qualified one has to have completed the required training and
otherwise conduct the arbitration under the statutes and
regulations. An award from such an arbitration would then be
enforceable like any other arbitration.